Jags’ OC on Minshew: ‘I think that you see an organization believe that he’s going to go out there and perform’
When Jaguars QB Nick Foles went out with a collarbone injury in Week 1 against the Chiefs, many thought Jacksonville’s chances of making a playoff run were over. No way anyone thought a sixth-round pick could save the season. Well, after five weeks, that sixth-round pick, Gardner Minshew, is doing just that.
Minshew has done his best to keep the Jaguars’ season alive. He is 2-2 as a starter, and the Jaguars(2-3) are only one game out of first place in the AFC South, and at this point, if Minshew continues to play well, he might continue as the starter when Foles returns.
According to Jaguars offensive coordinator John Defilippo, Minshew is playing well because of what he is doing away from the field.
“I think it’s as much off the field as it is on the field,” Defilippo said on Thursday. “I think he trusts his preparation. I think anytime you go through game week after game week after game week; I think you get into a routine. I see him much more comfortable in his routine throughout the week.
“On the field, I just think it has more to do with the ten guys that are around him than it does him. I just think you see the other 10 guys believe. It was kind of an unknown for all of us when he went in there against Kansas City when Nick went down on play [No. 11]. I think you see an organization, not only players and coaches, but I think that you see an organization believe that he’s going to go out there and perform. That is a credit to him.”
It’s very evident that the Jaguars do believe in Minshew, and while Jacksonville has invested a lot of money into Foles, Minshew may have shown enough for the team to think about moving on from Foles. However, that decision won’t be made anytime soon, but for now, the team continues to get behind Minshew.
Official statement on Errol Spence’s condition
Unified welterweight champion Errol Spence, who recently defeated Shawn Porter to capture the WBC welterweight title, was involved in a single-car accident Thursday morning in Dallas. The 29-year-old Spence was reportedly ejected from his white Ferrari.
Here is an official statement from Errol Spence’s team on his condition:
“Errol Spence Jr., IBF/WBC unified welterweight world champion, was involved in a serious, single-car accident in Dallas early Thursday morning and is being treated at a Dallas-area hospital. Spence is awake and responding and his condition is listed as stable. He did not sustain any broken bones or fractures, but has some facial lacerations. He is expected to make a full recovery.
He is currently resting with his family by his side. They want to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes and are extremely grateful to the Dallas first responders who rushed to the scene to attend to Errol after the accident and the doctors who are taking care of him at the hospital.”
Haney: ‘Let’s not forget Loma lost to a man who has 14 losses’
Undefeated WBC interim champion, Devin “The Dream” Haney (23-0, 15 KOs), is calling out all promoters to join him and his co-promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, in their quest to bring boxing back to its glory days, where the best always fought the best. You
After his stunning victory over Zaur Abdullaev (11-1, 7 KOs), where he fractured his orbital bone with a crushing overhand right, Haney became the mandatory challenger to fight pound for pound king Vasyl Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs), who holds the WBC lightweight title. Haney feels it’s important for boxing to flourish, if all elite fighters in their respective divisions fight one another.
“A lot of writers are saying I’m not ready to face Lomachenko, that’s ridiculous,” said the twenty-year old phenom Haney. “All the guys he beat, I would beat also. Let’s not forget Lomachenko lost to a man who has fourteen losses(Orlando Salido), so to say I’m not on his level is crazy talk. Loma fought for a world title in his second professional fight. He was 1-0, I’m 23-0. Who wouldn’t want to watch me and Loma fight? The answer is everyone would want to watch that fight and that’s a fact. I hate to say it, but it must be said, It’s embarrassing for Lomachenko if he keeps ducking this twenty year old, but in reality, there is no one that I can’t beat at 135 pounds!”
“Every promoter in boxing should put aside their egos and make the big fights,” continued Haney. “I know the fans will appreciate the best fighting the best and they deserve to see these big fights. Right now, boxing is so fragmented. I’m a fan of the sport and it would be a travesty if some of these big fights don’t get made. Arum said I signed with the wrong company, but he’s not making the big fights the people want to see. He’s serving the interest of his company and I knew that mentality could hold me back from becoming one of the greats in this sport, hence me signing with Matchroom. There are many more sensational matchups that are long overdue. It’s good business, and boxing will thrive, if the best are fighting the best.”
While networks and sanctioning bodies play key factors in making big fights, things can always get complicated. Haney feels confident that the sport will grow immensely, if his vision comes to fruition.
“Everyone would benefit if the big fights are made,” concluded Haney, who is the CEO of his own promotional company, Devin Haney Promotions. “I became a promoter early in my career because I want to bring the sport of boxing together. A formula needs to be made where all parties can be compensated, and the fans get to see great fights. Eddie Hearn and Matchroom boxing whom I co-promote with, put their fighters in tough, but they get them really paid. Now that’s something you can respect. Boxing needs to unite, and the mega fights should be made immediately.”
Photo: Top Rank
Pederson on decision to trade for Jackson: ‘The injury part didn’t factor into it much at all’
In Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season, Eagles WR DeSean Jackson came out the gate very strong against the Redskins. The 12-year veteran had eight catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns. However, the following week, against the Falcons, Jackson would leave the game with an abdominal injury and has missed the past three games. Jackson did not practice on Wednesday and is not expected to play on Sunday when the Eagles travel to Minnesota to battle the Vikings.
The 32-year-old Jackson has played in 16 games two times in his career, and last season, Jackson missed four games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On Wednesday, when asked about whether Jackson’s injury history factored in their decision to bring him back to Philadelphia in the offseason, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson had this to say.
“Yeah, it’s part of it, but it’s not what makes or breaks the deal,” Pederson said. “We knew the type of player we were getting, the explosiveness, an electric player, and a player that wanted to be back in Philly.
“The injury part didn’t factor into it much at all.”
Philadelphia seems to be missing what Jackson brings to the table, which is the ability to stretch the defense. In a lot of ways, he makes this offense explosive, and the two touchdowns he had against the Redskins were big plays(touchdown receptions of 53 and 51 yards). Jackson is not the savior for this offense, but Philadelphia does need him back on the field at some point in 2019, especially if the Eagles want to go far this season.
Twitter reacts to Ben Simmons hitting a three
It was a special night in Philadelphia on Tuesday as the 76ers hosted China’s Guangzhou Long-Lions. On this night in Philly, something that has never been seen before happened! Ben Simmons hit his first three-point shot in the NBA. While it’s only preseason and took three years for this to happen, the fans at the Wells Fargo Center celebrated like it was 1999.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Simmons’ big shot:
Me waking up to 100 Ben Simmons 3 videos
pic.twitter.com/6gQFXuCe7w— Chris Mallee (@mallee_chris_24) October 9, 2019
I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again: if Ben Simmons develops a jump shot, the @76ers will win the NBA Title pic.twitter.com/FJKz74riWn
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) October 9, 2019
Sixers fans, when they saw Ben Simmons finally make a 3 pointer pic.twitter.com/U2vrKRjnrN
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) October 9, 2019
Congratulations to Ben Simmons. What an incredible accomplishment. I’ll always remember where I was when this happened. https://t.co/lnq2EzsMfR
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) October 9, 2019
cultural impact:
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█ ＿Ben Simmons 3’s Anything Else
— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) October 9, 2019
Ben Simmons with a 3 is dangerous! They might actually win a chip
— Cash ✌🏾HYPE (@CashNastyGaming) October 9, 2019
Best moments in 76ers history
1. 1983 Championship
2. 1967 Championship
3. Allen Iverson steps over Lue
4. Ben Simmons makes a 3 pointer— Full Court Prez (@fullcourtprez) October 9, 2019
Steven Adams hits a 3, Ben Simmons hits a 3, Boban hits a 3. Preseason is better than the real thing.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) October 9, 2019
All of Philadelphia watching that Ben Simmons 3 pic.twitter.com/KBAyhBGTOM
— Jack (@JackChristy_) October 9, 2019
You know what, sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the amount of growth Ben Simmons has shown over his three rookie seasons.
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) October 9, 2019
The entire city of Philadelphia when Ben Simmons hit that three pic.twitter.com/NwXVQ4sJH3
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) October 9, 2019
where were you the night Ben Simmons lost his Three Card
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 9, 2019
BEN SIMMONS JUST HIT A NBA THREE POINT SHOT IN A GAME GLORY HALLELUJAH IT’S HAPPENING!!!!! pic.twitter.com/WADaZQmSfY
— Smitty (@SmittyBarstool) October 9, 2019
Banks on GGG: ‘Did Michael Jordan take it easy when he caught the flu?’
Gennady Golovkin is a champion once again, but it was not easy. Golovkin was able to squeak by Sergiy Derevyanchenko by a controversial unanimous decision to capture the vacant IBF middleweight belt on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Golovkin dropped Derevyanchenko in round 2, and was able to win the late rounds to get the decision.
After the fight, it was revealed by promoter Eddie Hearn that Golovkin was dealing with an illness going into this fight, which Hearn thinks had an impact on GGG’s performance. Golovkin’s trainer, Johnathan Banks, agreed with Hearn’s assessment.
“It had a huge impact,” Banks told goforitradio.com. “If you wouldn’t been told that, I wouldn’t said nothing. Whatever happens, happens. He chose to stay here and fight, so once he made that decision, I supported him and said, ‘Let’s go'”
According to Banks, once Golovkin decided to fight, he had to find a way to work through his illness.
“I told him whether you sick or not if you choose to fight, fight,” Bank said. “Doesn’t matter. Like, did Michael Jordan take it easy when he caught the flu?”
Golovkin, 37. easily could have lost this fight, but no matter how you feel about the decision, it was not a robbery.
However, it should be interesting to see if Golovkin does the rematch with Derevyanchenko, or does he continue to try to chase a third fight with Canelo Alvarez. No matter what he does, it’s clear that Golovkin is starting to show his age. You saw it a little bit against Steve Rolls back in June, and it became very apparent against Derevyanchenko. But, even at his advanced age, Golovkin is still one of the best middleweights in boxing.
Photo/courtesy: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
Eagles’ Schwartz: ‘Derek(Barnett) is always a guy that plays with a chip on his shoulder’
Philadelphia Eagles DE Derek Barnett might be getting a reputation as a dirty player. In Week 4 against Green Bay, the third-year player laid a vicious, helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers RB Jamaal Williams, which concussed Williams and sent him to the hospital, and last week against the Jets, during Nathan Gerry’s interception return for a touchdown, Barnett was called for a personal foul penalty for his block on Jets offensive lineman Alex Lewis.
While some may believe Barnett is a dirty player, Eagles DC Jim Schwartz does not think that is the case.
“Yeah, both my daughters wear Derek Barnett jerseys to the games, so that tells you how much I think of him,” Schwartz said on Tuesday. “Derek is always a guy that plays with a chip on his shoulder. It’s one of the things that makes him successful.
“But you have to be careful about crossing that line, and interception returns traditionally have been — I mean, you go back and I don’t want to bore you — but like 20 years ago the interception return would be like nine guys on defense trying to go mess up the quarterback.
“You get offensive linemen that are knocking you around the pile or holding you the whole time, and now it’s like, I’m going to go get that guy back. You can’t make it a personal war. It has to be about the team, whether it’s who gets the sack or who gets the block, whatever it is.
“The one dynamic that’s a little bit different this year — doesn’t really affect — hasn’t had anything to do with Derek, but the whole peel-back block going in. We’ve tried to really emphasize that, because you can’t go in with any kind of force. You have to wall guys off with your hands.
“It’s so hard to make plays and get interceptions or scoop fumbles. The last thing you want to do is take that away with a penalty. Derek knows that. He just has to balance playing with that chip on his shoulder and playing tough and physical and hustling, all the things we love about him, and just make sure we don’t cross the line into doing something that hurts the team.“
Those hits by Barnett were unnecessary, and in today’s NFL, those types of hits will get you fined and maybe even suspended. While it’s too soon to call Barnett a dirty player, it’s in Barnett’s best interest to clean things up moving forward.
Usyk to battle Chazz Witherspoon on 10/12
Oleksandr Usyk will face Chazz Witherspoon on his Heavyweight debut at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Saturday night, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
Witherspoon (38-3 29 KOs) second cousin of former two-time World Heavyweight ruler Tim Witherspoon, is unbeaten in five years with his last win coming in March in Atlantic City over Santiago Silgado and now the 38 year old Philadelphian gets a huge opportunity to pull off a massive upset as Ukrainian pound-for-pound king Usyk moves up to Heavyweight after leaving the Cruiserweight division as the undisputed ruler.
“I can’t wait to face Usyk in Chicago,” said Witherspoon. “I have been in training ready for a big fight, and it doesn’t get bigger than this. Oleksandr is stepping up to Heavyweight – and he’s going to find out that it’s a totally different game.
“I’ve won my last eight fights and I really feel that I’ve been waiting in the wings for a huge opportunity like this and I am going to put every ounce of myself into the fight on this massive stage.”
Witherspoon replaces Tyrone Spong in the main event on the stacked card in the Windy City after there were adverse findings in two of Spong’s urine samples. As a result, the Illinois State Athletic Commission will not license Tyrone to box and rescinded their approval of the bout with Usyk.
Usyk’s Heavyweight bow against Witherspoon is part of a huge night of World championship action in Chicago as Dmitry Bivol defends his WBA World Light-Heavyweight title against Lenin Castillo and unified Super-Lightweight champion Jessica McCaskill defends her WBA and WBC titles against old foe Erica Farias.
Unbeaten Super-Middleweight talent Anthony Sims Jr returns to action against Morgan Fitch, Charles Conwell defends his USBA Super-Welterweight title against Patrick Day, an all-Chicago Super-Featherweight clash between Josh Hernandez and Giovanni Mioletti, former World title challenger TJ Doheny returns to the ring, Reshat Mati is back after recovering from a shoulder injury and a fourth pro outing for rising starlet Otha Jones III.
Photo: Marchroom Boxing
Ramirez fight-worn outfit from Hooker bout garners $10,000 donation to benefit family of Dadashev
WBC/WBO super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez wanted to do something to benefit the family of Maxim “Mad Max” Dadashev, who passed away July 23 due to injuries sustained in the ring.
After he defeated Maurice Hooker in a super lightweight unification bout July 27 in Arlington, Texas, Ramirez and his adviser, Rick Mirigian, offered his fight-worn gloves, shoes and trunks to the highest bidder. The board of The Big Fresno Fair, the largest annual event in California’s Central Valley, stepped up with a $10,000 bid.
One hundred percent of the proceeds were sent to the Dadashev family, and the items are currently on display alongside a life-size statue of Ramirez at the Fresno County Historical Museum.
“I’m honored and humbled to have been able to help out Maxim’s family,” Ramirez said. “Every fighter puts their life on the line in the ring. My prayers to his family.”
“These items are incredibly important to our museum, especially with the recent addition of the life-size statue honoring Jose,” said John C. Alkire, CEO, The Big Fresno Fair. “When we knew this was going to support a family during a time of loss, we were all in.”
“Maxim fought in Fresno once as a pro, and Jose and I just wanted to do something to show our support for his family,” Mirigian said.
“From the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of Maxim’s family and our entire team, we would like to thank Jose, his team and The Big Fresno Fair for their generosity,” said Egis Klimas, Dadashev’s manager.